Especially if recent reports are to be believed. We already wrote about the rumors regarding The Joker’s role in the film (think Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs, only with clown makeup on). Now, a new rumor – which seems to support the aforementioned Joker info – indicates that Ben Affleck will appear in something of a cameo in the film.

According to Forbes, Batman won’t just get a mention (or appear in video footage, as previous rumors claimed) – he’ll appear “in-story” at the end of the film after The Joker escapes Arkham Asylum. Apparently, this will more or less kick-start the plot of Batman’s own standalone film, which will be heavily influenced by the Joker section of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns comic book.

From Forbes’ Mark Hughes:

This would set up the Joker as a possible/likely antagonist in the solo Batman movie that’s planned in the next few years, and which I’ve heard will take some inspiration from Frank Miller’s comic book series ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ – the third issue of which is a story about Batman facing off against an escaped Joker. I’m also told that Gotham City Police Commissioner Ellen Yindel (who replaces James Gordon during the comic book story) is planned for inclusion in the film.

That last bit about Commissioner Ellen Yindel makes sense based on what we’ve heard previously about this new DC Cinematic Universe. If you recall, James Gordon is supposedly dead by the the time Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice begins. Our own Kofi Outlaw even speculated that Yindel could fill the void left by Gordon.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if the Batman solo film were to be inspired by The Dark Knight Returns, considering its predecessor – Batman v Superman – has already been confirmed to have used TDKR as a big source of inspiration. How exactly the comic book will inspire the film (if this rumor is even true) is obviously yet unknown, but it’s doubtful they’ll be killing off The Joker this soon after introducing him, and that’s what that Joker story is most famous for.

The death of The Joker in ‘The Dark Knight Returns.’

Regardless, having Batman show up at the very end of Suicide Squad could be an excellent means of teasing the future of the DC Cinematic Universe. Whether or not it comes before or after the credits, it would basically function in the same way the post-credits Marvel scenes have functioned, which themselves functioned in the same way Batman Begins‘ Joker playing card scene functioned at the end of that film.

What say you, Screen Ranters? Do you want to see Batman show up in Suicide Squad? Would you like to see a Batman solo film featuring The Joker as a main antagonist? Drop us a line in the comments.